Show your "Long C" Craftsman!

[Oldtuleguy]

Those old drill presses are awesome. New ones do not look nearly as cool.

 

[d42jeep]

I found a picture of this one which was living in my carpenter’s box last time I checked, back in January
-Don

 

[txlonghorn1989]

I found a picture of this one which was living in my carpenter’s box last time I checked, back in January
-Don

Even better condition! Very nice Don! What size is it?

 

[txlonghorn1989]

I'll be in Austin next Wednesday through New Year's Eve. Got any suggestions on where I should visit? Specifically talking about flea markets or swap meets. Thanks!

Brian, we really don't have much in that regard as far as I'm aware. I went to the one big flea market east of Austin off state hwy 290 and was sorely disappointed. I wish I could be more help.

You are certainly invited to stop by the "shop" if you're in the area (SW Austin off South MoPac (aka Loop 1)).

 

[Rileysan]

Brian, we really don't have much in that regard as far as I'm aware. I went to the one big flea market east of Austin off state hwy 290 and was sorely disappointed. I wish I could be more help.

You are certainly invited to stop by the "shop" if you're in the area (SW Austin off South MoPac (aka Loop 1)).

Excellent! I'll send you a PM next week.

Brian

 

[txlonghorn1989]

Excellent! I'll send you a PM next week.

Brian

I'm looking forward to it!

 

[GalaxyRat]

Guys, I did something great today while waiting at the DMV. Sorry, not sorry. Don't tell my wife, though...

Sent from my SM-G973U using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[Oldtuleguy]

When you gotta have one, you gotta have one

 

[d42jeep]

Even better condition! Very nice Don! What size is it?

It’s 1/2”. While I was digging around, I unearthed this 3/4” one that looks totally different and is much shorter.
-Don

 

[outofbounds]

Curious if this box is considered "Long C" and if $350 in very good condition is a deal, or more-or-less full blown retail.....

 

[Rileysan]

Curious if this box is considered "Long C" and if $350 in very good condition is a deal, or more-or-less full blown retail.....

That would be from the "Heritage" era. As for price? That's double what it's worth in most markets and more than 4 times what I'd be willing to pay. It has been spray painted as well.

Brian

 

[outofbounds]

That would be from the "Heritage" era. As for price? That's double what it's worth in most markets and more than 4 times what I'd be willing to pay. It has been spray painted as well.

Brian

I thought the "Heritage logo" had the two stripes off of either side. I appreciate the insight as to values though, for sure!

 

[Outlawmws]

Check the inside of the drawers at the log for any stamping. it may ID a year for you.

That oval emblem is throwing me.

 

[Rileysan]

Check the inside of the drawers at the log for any stamping. it may ID a year for you.

That oval emblem is throwing me.

It's the same emblem that was used on the 8d roller from 1955-58. Those are the only years I can recall seeing that specific emblem.

Brian

 

[Private Lugnutz]

That is the 1948 through 50's oval emblem minus the bookending = and =. It can't be any earlier than 1946 with the Registered TM symbol "(R)" on it.

 

[Smokeshow69]

I thought the "Heritage logo" had the two stripes off of either side. I appreciate the insight as to values though, for sure!

That logo can be confusing. The heritage logo has lines on each side but that logo is also a logo that sears used on products during the heritage era. The long c era has the lower part of the c that extends under the whole logo. Like Brian said, that box is spray painted and most would not pay more than $100 tops. Brian has the long c version of that roller ! A good example of the basic logo is this attached motor picture





Sent from my iPhone using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[Rileysan]

It took a moment to find a picture on my phone but here's my 1957 8 drawer roller with that same oval emblem. As far as I can tell, the only difference is that the sides of the emblem are cut off ( = ), creating a true oval.

Brian

 

[Oldtuleguy]

They seem to vary a bit on logo location year to year as well.

 

[outofbounds]

As always some fantastic insights. I think I just need to "slow my roll" a little as I am keen on moving in a nice vintage 2 piece set for my small but growing collection of "keeper" tools. Still hurting but having a "red/gray" swept out from underneath my feet. Sorry of the picking equivalent of being "on tilt"

 

[Smokeshow69]

As always some fantastic insights. I think I just need to "slow my roll" a little as I am keen on moving in a nice vintage 2 piece set for my small but growing collection of "keeper" tools. Still hurting but having a "red/gray" swept out from underneath my feet. Sorry of the picking equivalent of being "on tilt"

I saw your location... you are in a fantastic spot of the country to find a great vintage stack. Just keep your eye open and as soon as you see one, jump on it! This is the slow time of year to buy but spring/summer is coming!


Sent from my iPhone using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[outofbounds]

I saw your location... you are in a fantastic spot of the country to find a great vintage stack. Just keep your eye open and as soon as you see one, jump on it! This is the slow time of year to buy but spring/summer is coming!


Sent from my iPhone using The Garage Journal mobile app

Smoke,

There are indeed a lot of tools (and boxes) in this town, however, there are also a lot of knowledgeable buyers., as I seem too often to finish in second place on a lot of deals be it response time or price. There is also.an awful lot of rust, to say the least.

Patience is an virtue that comes and goes with me.....This time of year, absent of garage sales, I get stir crazy and prone to pulling the trigger on less than optimal buys, for the simple sake of making a deal.

 

[Rileysan]

As always some fantastic insights.

Happy to offer assistance!

We also offer fantastic"incites". It's a by-product of being passionate about collecting vintage tools.

Brian

 

[Rileysan]

Smoke,

There are indeed a lot of tools (and boxes) in this town, however, there are also a lot of knowledgeable buyers., as I seem too often to finish in second place on a lot of deals be it response time or price. There is also.an awful lot of rust, to say the least.

Patience is an virtue that comes and goes with me.....This time of year, absent of garage sales, I get stir crazy and prone to pulling the trigger on less than optimal buys, for the simple sake of making a deal.

Smoke and I have similar issues here in the Pacific Northwest. During the rainy season, from September through June, we go stir crazy trying to find something to do. If not for CL, et. al., we'd all be fighting for spots in line at the same estate sales (this part is not a joke). The one positive thing about estate sales around here is that P&C tools are cheap, plentiful, and largely ignored so you almost always have a chance at finding them!

Brian

 

[Smokeshow69]

Smoke and I have similar issues here in the Pacific Northwest. During the rainy season, from September through June, we go stir crazy trying to find something to do. If not for CL, et. al., we'd all be fighting for spots in line at the same estate sales (this part is not a joke). The one positive thing about estate sales around here is that P&C tools are cheap, plentiful, and largely ignored so you almost always have a chance at finding them!



Brian

There is a caveat to that p&c statement... if Mrx is inline at the estate sales, we only get to pick his scraps after he gets the good stuff [emoji23]


Sent from my iPhone using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[bmwrd0]

I am lucky that I am an hour south of those scalawags, but I always find a little time to go carpetbagging up in their town.

 

[outofbounds]

Some modest entries, but perhaps some interest due to the sizes to the /32".

Also, I'm not familiar with the raised N4 on the 1/2" Combination wrench. Can anyone illuminate this for me?

 

[Smokeshow69]

I am lucky that I am an hour south of those scalawags, but I always find a little time to go carpetbagging up in their town.

For a carpetbagger, you usually find some really good stuff [emoji38] many a time I have been left with the dross after Bmwrd0 hits a swap meet or sale


Sent from my iPhone using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[Rileysan]

I am lucky that I am an hour south of those scalawags, but I always find a little time to go carpetbagging up in their town.

That's the nicest thing said to me all week!

But seriously, I always enjoy picking with you. You have an eye for things I often overlook.

 

[bmwrd0]

Yeah, looking forward to the big swaps this year, I hope we can meet up. My tastes are so eclectic that I often spot the oddities, but you and Smoke dig deep.

 

[JoCoSawdust]

Some modest entries, but perhaps some interest due to the sizes to the /32".

Also, I'm not familiar with the raised N4 on the 1/2" Combination wrench. Can anyone illuminate this for me?

I'll take a shot at this and somebody will correct me if I'm wrong. N4 is generally associated with wartime production of those wrenches. You'll find earlier wrenches exactly like the ones you have there that are marked Craftsman Vanadium (and no N4). At one point, presumably when metal restrictions kicked in for the Nazi stomping that had to be done, the wrenches were marked only with Craftsman. I know I have wrenches with N4 on the shank in combos and DBEs, not sure if I have any DOEs with N4 (I think not). The "Vanadium" marking never kicked back in after the war as shortly after, the MDF raised panels arrived on the scene. I'll look at mine another time to see if I have any N4 DOEs. I've come to the realization I should probably start my Christmas shopping.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Picked up this BE flex spinner yesterday. Despite the cracks and discolorations, the handle is not falling apart. I am going to seal it to make sure it stays that way.

 

[jusridin]

Lugz, that is only the second one of those I have seen. Just curious as to what you are going to seal it with? I have one that I don't want to crack or fall apart.
Great find!

 

[jusridin]

Pic of my circle H spinner. I seriously have seen very few with the handle intact.

 

[d42jeep]

I'll take a shot at this and somebody will correct me if I'm wrong. N4 is generally associated with wartime production of those wrenches. You'll find earlier wrenches exactly like the ones you have there that are marked Craftsman Vanadium (and no N4). At one point, presumably when metal restrictions kicked in for the Nazi stomping that had to be done, the wrenches were marked only with Craftsman. I know I have wrenches with N4 on the shank in combos and DBEs, not sure if I have any DOEs with N4 (I think not). The "Vanadium" marking never kicked back in after the war as shortly after, the MDF raised panels arrived on the scene. I'll look at mine another time to see if I have any N4 DOEs. I've come to the realization I should probably start my Christmas shopping.

I think your explanation is accurate. Here is a DOE marked with both the N4 and a V. Not much mystery about who might have made it.
-Don

 

[Private Lugnutz]

I seal all my stinkhandles* with rattle can clear gloss polyurethane. But hey, I am not a chemist and I have not done any tests and I would not want to be responsible for anyone else following my lead on this. Secondly, I have to say, if my handle looked like yours, I am not sure I would do anything until it started showing the slightest hints of desiccating. They don't all do it. It depends on the environment (humidity, light, etc).

* By "stinkhandle" I mean any early composite handle on any tool that used an early composition prone to deterioration and subsequent off-gassing and stinking. In my research, the compound in question is pyroxylin which is the substance behind Pyralin, the brand name for the early plastic that Duro-Chrome and Blue-Point ("Insuloid") professed in advertising to use. Gearwolf says that New Britian used butly acetate. I'm not arguing. All I'm saying is that any vintage handle I have from any OEM that is going white, offgassing, stinking, and falling apart I spray twice with polyurethane.

 

[jusridin]

Good to know, when I first picked up this case I noticed the only rusty bit in the case was the breaker bar. At first I was afraid to leave the spinner in there due to the fragile nature of the handle. Then I questioned removing it because the handle was so well preserved and the only rusty bit was the breaker. Obviously you see what decision I made.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Here (See Pics 1 & 2) is what my in-house NB version originally looked like before I replaced it with a simulacrum (See Pic 3)...

 

[jusridin]

Impressive for sure. I wonder how many were tossed out or given up on because of the breakdown. The simulacrum is a great alternative especially for that spinner. That's the first new Britain I have seen. Well done!

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Came out nice

 

[Private Lugnutz]

The simulacrum is a great alternative especially for that spinner.

'Zackly. Very common-looking handle with a lot of copycats.